On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha that sparked a significant uproar from the opposition. These bills propose the removal of elected officials, including the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Union Ministers, if they are arrested or detained for 30 consecutive days in connection with serious criminal charges.
The three bills introduced by Shah are the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The opposition has reacted strongly, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is attempting to destabilize non-BJP state governments. Critics argue that these bills undermine the principles of federalism and separation of powers, granting excessive power to executive agencies.
Shah has stated that the bills will be sent to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC), giving members from both Houses, including the opposition, the opportunity to offer suggestions.
Opposition's Response
Members of the opposition have voiced strong criticism of the bills. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi argued that they violate the "principle of separation of powers" and undermine the public's right to elect a government. He also claimed the bills would allow executive agencies to act as "judge and executioner based on flimsy allegations and suspicions". Owaisi stated that the government is creating a "Police State" and that the bills would be a "death nail unleashed on elected government," effectively turning the country into a dictatorship by amending the Constitution.
Congress MP Manish Tewari called the bills "destructive," asserting that they would make an executive agency officer the 'boss' of the Prime Minister. Tewari also highlighted the fundamental legal principle of "innocent until proven guilty," suggesting that the bill hopes to subvert this. Some opposition MPs tore and threw copies of the bills toward Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha. Mahua Moitra, another opposition leader, claimed the new bill bypasses both the federal structure and the judiciary, allowing the Union government to use agencies like the ED and CBI to arrest opposition CMs on fabricated charges and remove them from office without a court conviction.
Key Aspects of the Bills
The stated objective of the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025 is to address the absence of a provision in the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, for removing a Chief Minister or Minister arrested and detained on serious criminal charges.
